Talk by Christopher Woodward - The Swimming Pool Garden

We offer a variety of events from guided tours, where you will learn about the fascinating history of the garden, to photography and art workshops, mindfulness and meditation sessions, nature walks and willow weaving.  We are constantly expanding our offering as a way to share this unique garden with the wider community.  All profits from ticket sales and donations go towards the restoration and replanting of the garden.If you wish to support our work, donations towards the replanting of the garden are welcome.Make a donation

The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook

Come hear Christopher Woodward talk about the fascinating history and design of The Swimming Pool Garden in person!

The Italian Garden - Summer Talk Series

Explore this unique lost garden, then sit on the summerhouse terrace with a glass of Prosecco for our series of expert talks about the history of gardens and gardening.
Gates open at 5pm 
Talks 6-6:45pm

Join us for a talk by Christopher Woodward on The Swimming Pool Garden at the beautiful Italian Garden at Great Ambrook!Gates open at 5pm - explore the garden and enjoy a glass of prosecco on the terraceTalk from 6-6.45pmChristopher Woodward explores the history of swimming pools as features in the design of private gardens from the 17th-century until 1939. He will situate the astonishing pool in the garden at Great Ambrook in the rich history of swimming pools in Great Britain, discussing candidates for the earliest swimming pool in Britain, and the distinction between cold bath and swimming pool in the Georgian age; public swimming pools became a phenomenon of the Victorian city but it was not until the Edwardian age that country house gardens gave centre stage to the pool as an ornamental feature. The 1920s and ‘30s were the Golden Age of the swimming pool, owing to a heady cocktail of Hollywood movies and Country Life magazine, chlorinated water and elasticated swimsuit – and for the first time men and women swimming together in a fashionable new sport.Christopher Woodward is the Director of the Garden Museum in London. His books include In Ruins, on ruined buildings, and he recently swam 100km in the Peloponnese islands for charity.

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

Talk by Christopher Woodward - The Swimming Pool Garden

More events from The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook

Discover more events from The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook, from Arts to other experiences you might love.

Talk by Christopher Woodward - The Swimming Pool Garden

More events from The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook

Discover more events from The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook, from Arts to other experiences you might love.

You might also like...

Browse more events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.